UWA vs. Valdosta: Round 2

Otha Foster (31) tied a school record of three interceptions in a game the last time UWA played Valdosta State.

Michelle Lepianka Carter

By Cameron KiszlaSpecial to The Tuscaloosa News

Published: Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 3:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 12:02 a.m.

After beating Valdosta State 39-28 on the road in September and claiming the first outright Gulf South Conference championship in school history, the University of West Alabama football team hoped for a high seed in the playoffs. Instead, Valdosta was given the top seed in the region and a first-round playoff bye.

Otha Foster (31) tied a school record of three interceptions in a game the last time UWA played Valdosta State.

Michelle Lepianka Carter

The GSC rivals will face off again today.

Being forced to play again at Valdosta has the Tigers angry at what they perceive is a lack of appreciation for what they've accomplished.

“We just feel disrespected,” quarterback Gary Johnston said. “It's like a slap in the face. The first time we played them, we beat them there for the first time in school history, but they're still the top seed.”

Johnston sees this game as key in his program gaining the respect the Tigers feel they deserve.

“We've already done so much this year, this would be icing on the cake,” Johnston said. “We're showing the whole nation that West Alabama is here to stay. We want to throw our name in there with everyone else when they talk about the top programs in Division II.”

UWA coach Will Hall believes both teams will bring their best games, not only because it is the playoffs, but because both teams have something to prove.

“We had only beaten them two times in school history before this year, so we have a chance to beat them as many times this year as before in school history,” Hall said. “They have the revenge factor, but we have the respect factor. We feel overlooked, like we haven't gotten enough credit for what we've done this year.”

In the first game, UWA safety Otha Foster tied a school record (shared with teammate Malcolm Butler) of three interceptions in a game. Foster's teammates have high expectations not only for themselves, but for their star safety in particular.

“Our defense has been good all year,” Johnston said. “Otha is a heck of a player and he can change the game any time they throw the ball, which will be a lot. With him and (GSC Defensive Player of the Year) Ridge (Wilson), they're two of the best in the nation.”

Foster is not focused on setting any individual records. He just wants his Tigers to advance in the playoffs.

“I just want to try to play well,” Foster said. “If I can just do my job, maybe I catch three interceptions. Maybe I don't, but I just want to play a good game.”

UWA's pass defense will be very important, as Valdosta's spread offense features a potent air attack. The Tigers depend much more on the run, making controlling the clock an important goal for UWA.

“I think, obviously, we have very contrasting styles,” Hall said. “They're a four-wide, throw-it-around team, we're a ground-and-pound team. It's just contrasting styles and the way we go about things. We believe in the way we do things, they believe in the way they do things. We're hoping our way of playing comes out on top.”

But Hall has his team believing it deserves to be playing for the national title, and Foster and the rest of the Tigers are confident they are good enough to come away with a win today.

“They have some good receivers, but we also have some good defensive backs,” Foster said. “They finished first in our region, so I guess they're supposed to be good. But we beat them before, so I think we can do it again. It'll be a challenge, but it's nothing we can't handle.”

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